What are the products of aerobic respiration?

The products of aerobic respiration primarily include carbon dioxide and water. During this process, glucose is broken down in the presence of oxygen, leading to the release of energy, which is captured in the form of ATP. Carbon dioxide is produced as a byproduct of the breakdown of glucose, while water is formed when hydrogen from glucose combines with oxygen.

In aerobic respiration, the overall reaction can be summarized as follows: glucose (C6H12O6) is oxidized, and through a series of metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, it ultimately results in the production of carbon dioxide and water. This process is vital for aerobic organisms, as it allows them to extract maximum energy from the nutrients they consume.

The other options present either intermediates in the process or products associated with different metabolic pathways, such as anaerobic respiration, which does not involve oxygen and results in lactic acid or ethanol as byproducts. Therefore, the correct and complete products of aerobic respiration are accurately identified as carbon dioxide and water.